Getting from Nice to Arles

Have you tried the trains.

Yes, but you have to go to Avignon first and the total ended up being over $100.

"Yes, but you have to go to Avignon first and the total ended up being over $100." Goodness, who told you that? I am seeing seats as cheap as 29 euros, changing in Marseilles. Or do you mean there 3 of you?

Oh really? I was looking at the rail Europe site and the only option was to go to Avignon ($72) then Avignon to Arles ($15). What site are you using? Thanks!

Well, search this helpline for "Rail Europe." You will get an eyefull. Better fares (and more trains) on the French national rail site. You my be referred to the TGV site, which is also part of SNCF. Just do not request delivery in the U.S., or you will be bumped back to Rail Europe! (You can pick your ticket up in France at any train station or SNCF boutique.)

Some more details, since you're new at this. First, forget you ever heard of "Rail Europe" and stop using it immediately. They are a reseller, do not show all routes, and mark up tickets (as you just learned, sometimes substantially). Next, go to French Rail using the site Adam posted. Choose France as your ticket collection country, and refuse to be redirected to Rail Europe. If you can print out a ticket at home, choose that option. It will say you need A4 paper, but 8.5 x 11 works fine. You then show that printout, along with your passport, to the conductor on the train. Since you need your passport to use it, you can print as many extra copies as you want (I'm a "one in each suitcase" type). If you can't print at home, choose "pick up at a French station," and print out the ticket information. You then take this printout, along with the credit card used to purchase the tickets (strict rule) to either any French station, or to any SNCF Boutique. These latter are like "ticket stores," and can be more convenient than going to the station. Before getting on the train, be sure to validate ("composte") the actual tickets in the machines in the station and on the way to the platforms (you'll see others doing it; just imitate). Do not choose "pick up at a ticket machine," unless you have a chip-and-pin credit card (and if you're not sure, you don't). American swipe cards don't work in SNCF machines. Finally, you can look at the prices for tomorrow and for your intended dates of travel. If there's no difference, you can wait to buy tickets when you are there (either at a station or at an SNCF Boutique, as above). But if there's a big price difference, get tickets now.

One more thing: France does not have a lot of duplication in bus and train routes. If a route is served by train, it will usually not have bus service (of course, there are exceptions). Buses mostly fill in gaps in the train routes, except for local rides in places like the Riviera, where (for instance) both buses and trains have frequent local service on the coast.